Lioness killed in Springs zoo fight with lion

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A lioness at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs has died after a fatal brawl with another lion in the main yard of the exhibit.

Zoo officials say the 6-year-old female lion Jamila sustained fatal injuries from a fight with a male lion, Abuto. The Denver Post reports that Abuto arrived in January and was paired with Jamila’s two sisters for breeding purposes (http://bit.ly/1aT1j7r ).

The director of Animal Collections for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said in a statement that the lions had become familiar with each other and that the Thursday morning fight came as a surprise.

The release said zoo staff will work to reevaluate the introduction process.